56 percent of Americans are 'seriously concerned' over hacking and identity theft

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Updated: 7:25 AM PDT Jun 22, 2017

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WEBVTT MEDIA, I COULD MEAN SOMETHING ENTIRELY DIFFERENT.REPORTER: AS YOU LAY OUT AT THE BEACH THIS SUMMER OR FIRE UP THEGRILL, THE LAST THING YOU MIGHT BE THINKING ABOUT IS SOCIAL MEDIA SAFETY.BUT WITH THE SHIFT IN SEASON, A SHIFT IN STRATEGY.>> THE INTERNET IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE IN THE FOREFRONT.WE'LL ALWAYS BE CATCHING UP TO IT.IF YOU HAVE A FRIEND THAT CLICKED ON SOMETHING THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE AN NOW THEY'RE SHARING A COUPON SCAM OR PHISHING PAGE YOU'RE MORE LIKELYTO CLICK ON SOMETHING WHEN IT COMES FROM SOMEONE YOU KNOW.REPORTER: ONE OF THE DRAWS FROM SOCIAL MEDIA, THE CONNECTION YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO FEEL.WHEN IT COMES TO DEALS ON SEASONAL THINGS, IT'S SOMETHING MANY RELATE TO.ZACH ALLEN IS DIRECTOR AT THE SOCIAL MEDIA FIRM ZERO FOX AND SHOWS US SOME OF THE NEWEST TACTICS BEING USED.>> IT WILL GIVE YOU FAKE PICTURES, FAKE NAMES.YOU CAN KIND OF SEE THEM WITH DATA.THIS PERSON WENT THROUGH AND MADE A FAKE FACEBOOK FEED AT THEBOTTOM.REPORTER: IT'S EASIER THAN EVER TO SPREAD IT WITH SHARE BUTTONS EMBEDDED RIGHT INTO THE QUOTE UNQUOTE DEAL.TO HELP PROTECT YOURSELF CHECK YOUR PRIVACY SETTINGS.CONSIDER USING THINGS LIKE PASSWORD MANAGERS.TRY NOT THE OVERSHARE THE FACT THAT YOU'RE AWAY FROM HOME.SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T TAKE MUCH TO LEARN A WHOLE LOT.>> WE USE OPEN SOURCE INTELLIGENCE.THINGS AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET.YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING TOGET THEM.WHEN YOU COLLECT ALL OF THOSE TOGETHER YOU MAY HAVE SOMETHING JUICY ENOUGH TO TAKE OVER SOMEONE.REPORTER: IT'S A POTENTIAL HEADACHE YOU WOULDN'T WANT TO DEAL WITH WHEN YOU'RE SUPPOSED

Americans growing anxious over online security

56 percent of Americans are 'seriously concerned' over hacking and identity theft

The Blue Bell, Pennsylvania-based company found that 56 percent of Americans are "seriously concerned" over hacking and identity theft, a substantial increase from 2014, when only 36 percent of respondents expressed worry.

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A survey conducted by research firm Envista Forensics in April found that eight in 10 Americans don't like that they're being digitally tracked by third parties. Seventy-one percent of people are more concerned about online privacy then they were a decade ago.

But is the hype overblown? Are U.S. citizens panicking over virtual boogeymen that may not pose serious danger?

"As it pertains to cybersecurity, there is massive confusion among Americans," infosec expert Kenneth Holley told us Wednesday. "This, in turn leads to fear, much of which is unfounded."

"It's nearly impossible to go a day without hearing about the latest breach or attack, which only serves to compound the fear and leads to inaction," Holley said. "While we most certainly live in dangerous times, there are common sense and proven actions that individuals and businesses can take to greatly mitigate the risks."

Education and awareness are vital in minimizing one's chance of falling victim to cyberassaults like phishing emails or identity theft.

Using two-factor authentication, creating unhackable passwords and learning how to spot phishing scams will secure personal data and help internet users feel more safe online.

"Taking cybersecurity seriously and addressing risk head-on is the first step," Holley advised. "I work with clients every day on this very thing - it's a shift of culture and thinking. Once you've successfully made the shift, anxiety and fear is significantly reduced and you're able to move forward with adopting a rational risk mitigation posture."